Packing Tips

[Quickstatus]

Why pack when you can do this:

Teenager collapses on plane after wearing 12 layers of clothing | News.com.au

 

[Austman]

But with JQ and HLO it's not so much about space - the size restriction (H 56cm x W 36cm x D 23cm) seems about right.

It's about the weight and how even the extra item that JQ allows is included in the 7kg limit.

Even a coat counts as the extra item according to the JQ website! And that gets deducted from the 7kg!

Carry-on Baggage | Jetstar

 

[coriander]

Clothing: I find cashmere sweaters super-light to wear / carry. I also have an ultra-light down vest that rolls up tightly into Sweet Beggar All and is wind and cold-proof (not waterproof). Uniqlo sell both of these items - can recommend them (both for SFO in Jan and LST in July <g!>)

 

[hummel]

Does anyone use a business/travel backpack? I need something to hold my laptop (macbook air) and a changes of clothes/runners.

Will be used to/from work each day and also accompany my carry on when away for work.

 

[MDC]

Does anyone use a business/travel backpack? I need something to hold my laptop (macbook air) and a changes of clothes/runners.

Will be used to/from work each day and also accompany my carry on when away for work.

I use a Crumpler Dry Red backpack. The main section expands when needed and fits shoes and a change of clothes.

DRY RED NO 6 - Laptop Travel Backpack | Crumpler

 

[hummel]

I use a Crumpler Dry Red backpack. The main section expands when needed and fits shoes and a change of clothes.

DRY RED NO 6 - Laptop Travel Backpack | Crumpler

Thanks not bad... but wow at the price! :|

 

[MDC]

Thanks not bad... but wow at the price! :|

They do go on sale from time to time. I've had mine for 4 years and it still looks like new, my older camera backpack is about 10 years and still looks new. I haven't had the opportunity to use their lifetime warranty but I've heard from others that they haven't had any issues getting repairs.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Does anyone use a business/travel backpack? I need something to hold my laptop (macbook air) and a changes of clothes/runners.

Will be used to/from work each day and also accompany my carry on when away for work.

I use this from time to time, has a seperate laptop section in the back, and can slide onto a trolley case's handle if required:

Zeus 35 | BlackWolf

Should be able to pick it up for a little over $90

 

[coriander]

Does anyone use a business/travel backpack?

All the males in our family now use this pack for both domestic and international travel: brilliant backpacks: side entry pocket for laptop, "secret" wallet compartment against your back when you're wearing it, small pocket at top for keys, watch, phone for going through security are amongst its differentiating features. Comfortable; well made.

US$75 when on special: Travex® Pack | Eddie Bauer.

We've used these on three successive USA trips, in fact #1 son in SFO at the moment has to bring an extra one back for #3 son as I'm sick of him pinching mine .

 

[Bindibuys]

Does anyone use a business/travel backpack? I need something to hold my laptop (macbook air) and a changes of clothes/runners.

Will be used to/from work each day and also accompany my carry on when away for work.

We use this as our carry on for most of our trips. You can tuck the "back pack straps" away, so that it looks more professional during the day, but can convert to backpack mode in seconds when you need your hands free.
Skedaddle | BlackWolf

 

[Katie]

I use a Crumpler Dry Red backpack. The main section expands when needed and fits shoes and a change of clothes.

DRY RED NO 6 - Laptop Travel Backpack | Crumpler

Me, too (edit: actually, I have the Dry Red No 5). Though I took my work-supplied Lenovo backpack on my last two US trips, as that backpack had a strap of fabric across the back that I could use to hold the backpack on my wheelie carry on's handle.
Does that make sense???
It's the only thing I wish the Dry Red had, apart from perhaps the softer stuff on the backpacks they target at women (less harmful to fabrics, allegedly) on more backpack sizes. Those backpacks don't have laptop holders big enough for mine.

 

[Katie]

Does anyone travel with clothes of particular fabrics?

I bought some of the merino t-shirts at Aldithe other week, as they would dry more quickly after hand washing than cotton. I prefer cottons, linens, and wool where possible - not wrinkle friendly often!!
I've travelled with wool clothing for cold climates, so am interested to see how the wool shirts will work for Florida in Sept ...

 

[Bindibuys]

Does anyone travel with clothes of particular fabrics?

I bought some of the merino t-shirts at Aldithe other week, as they would dry more quickly after hand washing than cotton. I prefer cottons, linens, and wool where possible - not wrinkle friendly often!!
I've travelled with wool clothing for cold climates, so am interested to see how the wool shirts will work for Florida in Sept ...

I usually only pack Icebreaker merino tops of varying weight, and cashmere jumpers, and pure wool trousers. Hiking pants in quick dry material if casual attire needed.

(disclaimer - hubby & I were both wool classers in a previous life, so clothes in fine/super fine Merino is always going to be found in our packing, no matter what the season)

 

[dodgeyhack]

Has anyone had luck packing suit jackets in the suitcase?
There's various tips on how to do it online, I'm a bit skeptical, but tempted to try.

 

[Pushka]

only $15.89 on eBay

I use packing cells - which are especially handy when temps are going to be vastly differently across a trip.

About to start packing today and will use 1 for Island stuff, 1 for city visiting and 1 for night when it is a lot cooler. That way, for the first week anyway, I only need to touch one of them.

The downside of packing cells is when your travel wardrobe tends to be mainly black...then it all looks the same!

There is also the bag in a bag.

They are just packing cubes as mentioned before.

 

[Bindibuys]

Has anyone had luck packing suit jackets in the suitcase?
There's various tips on how to do it online, I'm a bit skeptical, but tempted to try.

I hate packing the Tux.

 

[Sale]

Does anyone travel with clothes of particular fabrics?

I bought some of the merino t-shirts at Aldithe other week, as they would dry more quickly after hand washing than cotton. I prefer cottons, linens, and wool where possible - not wrinkle friendly often!!
I've travelled with wool clothing for cold climates, so am interested to see how the wool shirts will work for Florida in Sept ...

I love Mela Purdie for travelling - MP has a fabric called mousseline which is a technical polyester - dries really really quickly - just roll it in a towel basically and shake and hang, doesn't need ironing. All the designs are super comfortable and very elegant for day or night and easy to dress up or down - also great for cruising.

 

[Denali]

My husbands tip is not to tick the box saying you don't know whats in your bag. Last time NZ bio security questioned my husband because he ticked the box that said he didn't know what was in his bag/packed his bag.

Agent: Sir. Is there a reason why you don't know whats in your bag?
Husband: Mate. Ive been married 15yrs, I don't question her any more. Just leave her alone to pack the way she wants to pack and shes happy.
Agent: *Looks at me, looks at him and then laughs* Welcome to NZ.


For cold, we also pack light weight merino, thermals or polartec. Not too bulky but warm and can be layered.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As a soon-to-be JQ regular (sigh), I'm interested in this thread. HL for me is always in the vicinity of correct weight, but with VA I never really had to worry. JQ will be with a max bundle, so luggage included, but may I ask how strict they are on size? For example, I have a Asics sports bag which I regularly use as it comes in at just 1kg but it is too big as normal hand luggage (not by a great deal) but with 7kgs in it, it'd be able to be squashed down quite a lot. Does that count, or do they look at size if it was completely full?



Apart from the Asics, I have a Samsonite hard case wheelie (2.5kgs) which I like as it can easily be hand luggage or checked luggage and it also came with a cover which protects it against the onslaught of baggage handlers. Pity about the weight.



Also a Kathmandu back pack, which is very adaptable and lightweight at 0.5kg.



And I always have an over shoulder bag (man bag if you wish to denigrate my manliness ) which accompanies me at all times and carries all those essentials. At 0.5kg, it's a must and in it (rolled up at the bottom) is a Tommy Bahama cotton and cashmere jumper (0.2kg) which is perfect to carry as we never know if the planes air cond. will be pumping out at 40C or 4C.



Of course, we have plenty of both hard and soft case larger suitcases for extended trips but the above selection alternates as hand luggage depending on my needs at the time.

As for packing, I usually do that just before I bolt out the door for the airport, usually wondering for the next hour or so, what it is that I've forgotten!

 

[Denali]

..... And I always have an over shoulder bag (man bag if you wish to denigrate my manliness

I prefer the term, Murse.


Ive been playing with the Samsonite 72hrs cabin bag - weighs 1.5kgs and comes with a cover (never used/weighs extra).

Was concerned about the handle but its done quite a few long haul & domestic trips with no issues. My only complaint is I would have liked it as a 2 wheeler.